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Revolutionary DNA technology which could catch thousands more criminals every year is finally set to be cleared for use by police.

DNAboost – which allows scientists to unravel mixed and previously unusable genetic samples – was hailed for its crime-fighting potential by former Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2006.

Experts believe the powerful software will identify up to 6,000 extra suspects annually, and could also help in cases such as that of missing Madeleine McCann – where forensic evidence appears to have been difficult to analyse.

However, despite impressive results from pilot schemes in Yorkshire, Humberside and Northumbria, police have been banned from using the tool for more than 12 months.

The long delay led detectives and scientists to complain that the technology was falling victim to a “turf war” over the National DNA Database.

The Forensic Science Service (FSS) – which developed DNAboost – was stripped of control over the bank of 3.5 million samples in December 2005, when it was made an independent Government-backed company.

A Home Office strategy board including representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) and the Association of Police Authorities (Apa) now decides how the database can be used.

A spokeswoman for the department confirmed that the strategy board had delivered its recommendation, and the matter had been passed to the Attorney General for final sign-off.

A source close to the project said DNAboost was the “most validated DNA technology in history”.

They said: “This is the biggest step forward in crime-fighting science for more than a decade, and it has taken far too long to get clearance. It looks like it’s finally getting authorised, but we could have caught thousands of criminals while they have gone through these hoops.”